Explaining "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 02/10/2024, 16:16

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" suggests that eating healthy foods, like apples, can contribute to maintaining good health and therefore reduce the need to visit the doctor.

Tone

Encouraging and Proverbial

Origin

The phrase is believed to have originated in Wales in the 19th century, with the first recorded version appearing in 1866 as "Eat an apple on going to bed, And you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread." The modern version was popularized in the early 20th century.

Examples of usage

Whenever I pack my lunch, I remember the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" and include an apple.
My grandmother used to tell me that "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" when she served me fruit for breakfast.
Even though the saying goes "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," it's important to eat a balanced diet for overall health.